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Middle Egyptian introduces the reader to the writing system of ancient Egypt and the language of hieroglyphic texts. It contains twenty-six lessons, exercises (with answers), a list of hieroglyphic signs, and a dictionary. It also includes a series of twenty-six essays on the most important aspects of ancient Egyptian history, society, religion, literature, and language. Grammar lessons and cultural essays allows users not only to read hieroglyphic texts but also to understand them, providing the foundation for understanding texts on monuments and reading great works of ancient Egyptian literature. This third edition is revised and reorganized, particularly in its approach to the verbal system, based on recent advances in understanding the language. Illustrations enhance the discussions, and an index of references has been added. These changes and additions provide a complete and up-to-date grammatical description of the classical language of ancient Egypt for specialists in linguistics and other fields.

Learning Middle Egyptian is grammar based, and in this text grammatical terms are explained with English examples so that there is no need to consult other texts

Egyptian texts are full of terms and concepts specific to the ancient culture, so an extensive essay in each lesson explains basic terms and concepts

Based on recent research, the list of verb forms in this edition has been reduced to thirteen, making it much easier for students to learn and retain information

Reviews & endorsements

'The third edition breaks much new ground from the earlier editions, incorporating many new ideas on the verb, from the author's research. This book encourages the reader to consider the ancient language as a means of expression and not just a set of grammatical rules.'
Nigel Strudwick, Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

'Professor Allen has once again demonstrated his mastery of the ancient Egyptian language by providing a new edition of his grammar that is fresh and daring.'
Ronald J. Leprohon, University of Toronto

'A user-friendly introduction teeming with novel insights; essential reading for all students and researchers in Egyptology.'
Sami Uljas, Uppsala University

'This new edition of Middle Egyptian, completely revised, makes complex grammatical issues with which students often struggle far more accessible. It will also be of interest to those fascinated by the language but who come to it from outside Egyptology.'
Troy Leiland Sagrillo, Swansea University

'This third, thoroughly revised edition, of the most successful teaching grammar of Middle Egyptian provides an integrated, step-by-step introduction to the script, language, and culture of the classical period of ancient Egypt, leading the student to a direct experience of the original texts. Written by one of the most distinguished scholars in the field and richly exemplified, the text is equally suited for the classroom and for self-study.'
Andréas Stauder, Swiss National Science Foundation and Universität Basel

'This is an indispensable volume for students of Egyptology, archaeology, historical linguistics, or even laymen who are interested in learning Egyptian.'
Kariema El Touny, The Linguist List

Look Inside

Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses

Ancient Egypt and its Hieroglyphs

Elementary Egyptian

Essentials of Hieroglyphic Egyptian

Law, Society, & Culture in the Middle East

Topics in Global Hist. Middle Egyptian Grammar

Author

James P. Allen, Brown University, Rhode IslandJames P. Allen is the Charles Edwin Wilbour Professor of Egyptology at Brown University. He is a former curator of Egyptian art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and president of the International Association of Egyptologists. His previous publications include Genesis in Egypt: The Philosophy of Ancient Egyptian Creation Accounts (1989), The Heqanakht Papyri (2002), The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts (2005), The Debate between a Man and his Soul (2010) and The Ancient Egyptian Language, An Historical Study (2013).

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